It's the same for me (although my social stuff's normally down the pub and revolves around alcohol) and - I know this might not sound very sociable but, really, the only way I could cope on the first few days was to avoid it. I got fed up with explaining what I was up to and having people telling me I was crazy. It's only for a little while. I found I did better by treating myself in other ways - I went to the cinema in the afternoon on the second day to stop tearing my hair out and that felt all right. I actually spent a lot of time alone and got to enjoy it. The fast was for me, so was the time. After a bit I changed other habits as well - chucked the tv away and listened to more music, stayed in and read a lot (and re-read stuff I'd loved in the past rather than new things, which felt like a luxury), started sketching again, which I haven't done for years and years... Even caught a train on the 7th day and spent a day in the countryside on my own. It's not for everyone but I really enjoyed that part of it - and looked forward to seeing people again at the end of it without being grumpy all the time (I had incredible mood swings on my first fast). If you can change other bits of your life, I'd say go for it cos it makes it easier. You can use the fast as a habit breaker not just in food terms but in other ways as well. I'm just thinking about doing another one starting next week but I want to plan it so I can make time in my life for ducking out of the system for as long as possible, especially at the beginning. It's a great re-start, so try and be positive and don't feel left out cos you can't join in for a bit. Think how much better company you'll be when you get back! It's only for ten days, after all...
Good luck and all the best
Anya
PS - and I still haven't got a tv!!!!